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Issue #5 November 2006 Souris River Watershed Committee Co-ordinator: Fred Cheverie
Enhancement Work 2006 Souris and Area Wildlife was very fortunate to have a productive summer in terms of stream enhancement. Our crew of Barry Wilson (chainsaw operator), Kyle MacDonald (crew chief), Garry Gregory (assistant coordinator), Kyle Laybolt, Brendan Mahar, and Anthony MacDonald (labourers) displayed an enthusiastic and energetic approach to their jobs. The Environmental Futures crew, supervised by Donald O'Keefe, which worked with us on a part-time basis, also proved to be a valuable asset.
Within the Souris River system, attention was paid to both the main river and some of its tributaries. Approximately 1000 trees were used as brushmatts in the Gowan Brae area, this method has proved to be successful in containing siltation. Approximately 550 native trees were planted in several deficient riparian zones along the river. An emphasis was placed on enhancing the diversity of species, as well as matching trees to their respective habitats for optimum growth. Mary Etta's Creek, a small tributary on the Souris River Road, had its entire 2.5 km length enhanced, work that included debris removal, beaver dam extraction, and removal of excessive alders.
The Naufrage system, from Larkin's Dam to tidal (4.25 km), was significantly enhanced. Before the work was started, the river featured many large blockages involving many cords of wood. A walking trail of 3 km adjacent to the waterway was established on the system. The Cross River system also received significant attention. Five kilometres of stream were enhanced, and a walking trail of four kilometres was established. The Fortune system received stream enhancement from the Red House Road to the Little Trout River Road (4.5 km). A walking trail was constructed along this same length of stream to provide suitable access. The North Lake system had five large beaver dams removed, which were almost totally obstructing fish passage. Alice and Cyril MacDonald's Brook Trout Nursery
After receiving generous funding from the Shell Environmental Fund (SEF), the Souris and Area Wildlife Branch was able to establish a brook trout nursery at Harmony Junction adjacent to the Confederation Trail. The area was identified as a potentially optimum site for brook trout spawning. Natural springs were excavated and lined with pea gravel; outlet streams were manually dug-out, native trees and shrubs were planted, a holding pond was constructed, a cover apparatus was erected, and a new culvert was installed to restore fish access to the springs. These initiatives were undertaken in an attempt to create optimum spawning conditions to improve brook trout stocks in the Souris River system. The P.E.I. Department of Transportation and Public Works should be commended for their in-kind contributions towards this effort. Landowner Raymond Dunphy should also be recognized for his interest and participation in this project. Created in 1990, the SEF is a national program intended to make a local difference. A total of over 11 million dollars has been granted to more then 400 environmental projects across the country. These projects include habitat restoration, beach and road clean-ups, waste reduction, and recycling programs, trail building, educational initiatives, and other innovative environmental projects. We are very appreciative of the funds made available from the Shell Oil Environmental Fund for this project and thankful to our local Shell Distributor, David MacInnis for making us aware that this fund existed.  Souris River Watershed Management Plan The Souris River Watershed Management Plan is nearing completion. The plan has received technical review by several government officials, UPEI Biology Dept., other watershed coordinators, and the Souris Management Committee. A presentation of the draft will take place on Dec. 13th at Souris Ski Club at 7:00pm. The public is invited and encouraged to attend and provide input into the final adjustments. This plan has immediate (1-3 yrs), short term (3-5 yrs.) and long term (5-15 yrs.) strategies that will have implications on everyone within the watershed.  Copies of the "draft" will be available on Dec. 7th at Access P.E.I. and Souris Town Hall Souris & Area Wildlife Branch President's Report
The 26th Annual Wildlife Dinner will take place at St. Mary's Hall on Dec.10th. Tickets are on sale at Burke's Custom Metal Works. This event is traditionally sold out, so I would suggest getting your tickets early. We have lots of variety of game, lots of auction, and raffle items. I would like to thank the people who made generous donations of cash to our Wildlife Branch to assist with our enhancement work. I would also like to thank Bernard and Anne MacCormac for their generous donation of taxidermy specimens that we can use in future wildlife displays. If anyone would like to make a donation, make cheque payable to "Souris & Area Wildlife Branch" and mail to: Box 692, Souris, P.E.I., C0A2B0. Thanks. President, Souris Wildlife Branch, Chairperson's Comments
I would like to thank the public for their involvement in the various information sessions, workshops, etc. This participation has given our coordinator material to use in the development of the plan, which is in its final stage of completion. We will have our presentation of the "Draft Proposal" of the Souris River Watershed Plan on Wednesday, Dec.13th, and 7:00pm at Souris Ski Club. I strongly suggest that all residents in the Souris River Watershed attend. This is your plan and this will be your final opportunity to provide, tweaking. I would like to thank the members of the Souris River Watershed Committee for their dedication and leadership in this project. I also applaud the efforts of Fred Cheverie, Dale Thompson and Garry Gregory in the preparation of this plan. I would like to wish everyone a very happy holiday season. Chairperson of The Souris River Watershed Committee Coordinator's Comments
I think it is in every ones best interest to attend the meeting on Dec.13th to insure your views were expressed properly. I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Copyright Souris Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation All pictures appearing on this site or its associated flickr account are the property of the photographers and the Souris & Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation. |
The Souris & Area Branch has a history of doing enhancement work on all river systems and their tributaries east of and including the Naufrage and Fortune systems. It is a difficult process to give the attention needed to them all. I am exceptionally pleased with the efforts of our stream enhancement crews this summer. A tremendous amount of work was done because of the leadership skills exhibited by Kyle MacDonald, Barry Wilson and Donald O'Keefe.
Wow! Where has the time gone? Since it's inception, in March of 2005 the Souris River Watershed Management Committee has recorded a lot of public involvement in the development of a watershed plan.
Due to time constrictions, I was unable to research a history section for this issue. If anyone has a good story to tell on past times give me a call, I love old stories.